What is popes coaching philosophy?

[Wildcats1st]

I’ve never seen an answer to this. Cal it seemed his was of course OAD top 10 freshmen and let them play. But pucker up in winning time. A guy like nate oats is 3 pointers. Let your opponent get twos and score threes. No defensive philosophy. Then you have sampson who has a defense first philosophy but has had to adapt to play more efficient offense. Just curious about pope? I know he likes the offensive game and the 3 but unless he’s stated it we have to read between the lines. Based on what I’ve seen it’s, get the best players, put a priority on recruits who are Kentucky bred. Curious to what others think or if pope has ever stated his coaching philosophy.

 

[tf4fun]

I’ve never seen an answer to this. Cal it seemed his was of course OAD top 10 freshmen and let them play. But pucker up in winning time. A guy like nate oats is 3 pointers. Let your opponent get twos and score threes. No defensive philosophy. Then you have sampson who has a defense first philosophy but has had to adapt to play more efficient offense. Just curious about pope? I know he likes the offensive game and the 3 but unless he’s stated it we have to read between the lines. Based on what I’ve seen it’s, get the best players, put a priority on recruits who are Kentucky bred. Curious to what others think or if pope has ever stated his coaching philosophy.

He clearly stated he will target both! OAD and experience along with guys who love KY and want to be here!

 

[runt#69]

I'm not the best person to answer, or even attempt to answer, but it is a good question.

1) CMP focus is primarily offensive oriented for high scoring and high pace output. Based on maintaining floor spacing with a team that will have consistently good outside shooting (to take advantage of as many three point shots as we can get good looks for) 35+ attempts per night is what I recall hearing him say serval times as an end game goal.

2) Having good ball handling and passing big men are critical to his system as well as players that are athletic and strong enough to endure the rigors of SEC play. There is another consideration.

3) I think Pope's defensive philosophy this year was to embrace offense first because we had the shot making players and then have the defense come along. But he began with Butler and Williams, definitely focused on the defensive shoring up for the team this year. So perhaps it would be fair to say he is equally prioritizing both defensive and offensive production.

4) Portal will be used to seek out the highest caliber talented, multi year eligible players (ideally two or even 3 years) so as to build and maintain team chemistry and cohesion year to year. Balance the portal needs for players with finding the right fit of attitude of players, not just basing how well they will do on talent alone.

This is a big intangible I always felt was a major failing of Calipari here. Going after the best talent might get you success, but it was proven that the one and done era generally left teams underperforming considering how talented some of the teams were and they didn't win a title.

We didn't win in 15. dUKe didn't win with Zion, there were plenty of teams in the OAD era where even the best coaches failed, because there is so much more than just acquiring talent and rolling a ball out there and playing a game.

5) I think above all, Coach Pope has a positive mindset and philosophy that is forward looking and engaged in positive thinking - for Kentucky. There are a lot of things he will have to learn as coach here at Kentucky. He has started his own journey. I have to allow for him more time to get another season under his belt, another step forward in navigating the reloading process, and for him to learn maybe to be a little more assertive on the court during games at least where the officiating is concerned. That may be his biggest issue to overcome., It would be for me.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Pope is a system coach. And it's quite a good system. Very indicate and difficult to learn. But once learned it's a great system. It's very precise and requires great timing from all 5 guys. More passing and cutting than dribbling. Requires a lot reading the defense on the fly as there's several options for the player with the ball.

The opponent more wants to disrupt your timing than just guarding. You saw that as the season went on and teams learned what they needed to do to take away our first options. This team just didn't have the talent to quickly get into option 2 or 3.

That will change with new, more talented players. Pope has to recruit to his system. Doesn't matter if you get a Cooper Flagg if he doesn't fit the system.

Izzo is a good example. It's not the same system but Izzo is a diehard system coach. He recruits to his system. Mich St has been the same team for 30 years. Just different parts.

Coaches like Cal, K, Sheyer now, Pearl, Oats, Golden, etc. run a version of motion. They all used to run 2 in, 3 out motion but as the game and rules changed it went to 1 in, 4 out and even some are 5 out motion now. Only plays are quick hitters or situational plays.

There's not a right or wrong. It's what you prefer.

I'm a motion guy. But when Pope's system is working as designed it's a thing of beauty.

 

[BlueSince92]

1. Crush your enemies.
2. See them driven before you.
3. Hear the lamentations of their women.

 

[shaudyshaud]

It’s hard to really say . I don’t think you can go by his BYU days because Kentucky is a different animal and more appealing . Also with NIL and the portal things are different . I think it will change from season to season .